Deciding on the right huge speaker

Audiokinesis--That was the best advice I ever read on how to evaluate speakers. Too bad I read it after I just bought new speakers. Even though my Von Schweikert gen III's only have about 50 hours on them, I'm going to do those things as soon as I get home.

I agree with Tireguy,the Montanas offer a great sound at a great price.(www.PBNaudio.com)

Try the new EgglestonWorks Andras II. By far the best and the smallest in size.

Kudos to Audiokinesis for some of the best practical advice I've seen posted here on the topic of selecting speakers. I was delighted to read his "tests" because they are very similar to the procedures I've worked out in my own experience for evaluating equipment.

But Natalie also has an important point about room effects. I have good but not super-ultra speakers (JMLabs Mezzo Utopias). Your prelate cannot actually afford such nice reproducers but got one of those friend-of-a-friend deals that made it possible for him to acquire them.

Anyway, whilst I was converting the garage to a suitable listening room, I installed them in a 14x17x12 (sloped ceiling) room where they sounded....good. "Oh well," I thought. "At least they'll have great snob appeal and I can use them for a trade-in on something better." When the new room was done, I moved them in. HOLY COW! A totally different experience. In the new space (18x22x9 with some rudimentary room treatments), they simply exploded with delicious sound. My friends and I were so completely flabbergasted that we actually moved them back and forth twice just to confirm the difference for ourselves.

Now, I got my M/Us for less than 30% of MSRP, NIB. Yes, miracles happen. At that price, had I been buying from a dealer, I would not have expected him to go to enormous trouble to ship them in and set them up in my listening space. However, after this experience, if I were paying list--and certainly if I were considering speakers in the $50K+ range, you bet your booties I would insist on hearing them in my own room.

Tell the dealer you'll pay shipping (both ways, if you don't buy) and ample insurance. If he won't agree to that, shop elsewhere.

will

Audiokinesis,

I have always dreamed of having service like what you refer to on gear at all levels and you sound like that kind of dealer. I have a friend who is a dealer and he will bend over backwards for people and he has one of the best ears of anyone I have met but he doesn't have the technical experteise you seem to show. You seem to be the best of both worlds. Since I buy used or get special deals it is rare that I would buy new but I would keep you on my short list for product that my buddy doesn't carry. Like I plan to by a Rel sub within the next year and expect to buy new since used doesn't save enough to justify. My friend can't/doesn't carry it so if you did I would consider this purchase with you.

Anyway, I think someone looking for speakers at that level and size would do well to listen to your advice. Don't ignore the room but make allowance and take it into consideration as needed. If anyone has ever seen the Sound Labs or a Grande Utopia they wouldn't be asking for an in home demo, that is not reasonable unless the dealer has a strong committement to purchase but even then, I have to imagine with the right preperation, planning, a person can find out everything they need to at the dealer/show or at other peoples homes which the dealer may recommend.

Thanks again for the service focus and the practical advice.

cd